text: The halogens, nitrogen, and sulfur are covalently bonded to the organic compounds are converted to various sodium salts formed during the fusion. Typically proposed reactions are:
  :Na + C + N → NaCN
  :Na + C + N + S → NaSCN
  :2Na + S → NaS
  :Na + X → NaX
  The fate of the hydrocarbon portion of the sample is disregarded.
  The aqueous extract is called sodium fusion extract or Lassaigne's extract.